Peoria Standard

City of Delavan City Council met Sept. 1.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

The Delavan City Council met in special session at 5:30 pm in the Delavan City Council Room, 219 Locust Street, Delavan, Illinois. Mayor Elizabeth Skinner presided. The following aldermen were present: Douglas Bury, Wade Fornoff, James Horath and Jeffrey Johnson. Others in attendance electronically were Alderman Hall, Yontz and Attorney William Connor. City officials in attendance in the council room were City Administrator Matt Fick, Police Chief Jerry Littlefield and Deputy City Clerk Tammy Hintz. Special guests in attendance electronically were Anthony Rubano and Jon Pressley, Mark and Angie Vannaken, Connie Madden, John Ringel, Roland Rich, Diane Flatley, Jerry Wolfe, Carol Moore.

The meeting notice and agenda were posted at least forty-eight hours in advance of the meeting on the door of the City Council Room and on the widow in City Hall. A copy of the meeting notice and agenda is attached to and made a part of the minutes.

Mayor Skinner expressed her gratitude to those in attendance and wished that the Council could meet with business owners and guests in person, but that electronically was the best route at this time. City Administrator Matt Fick informed those present that Delavan's downtown is on the national registry, this meeting is a follow up from the special meeting held in March. City Administrator Matt Fick then introduced the guests to those in attendance, Anthony Rubano and Jon Pressley, from the Historic Preservation Office.

Anthony Rubano spoke that his office is in task with many different federally mandated programs and administers the National Register of Historic places, Historic Preservation Tax Credit and two State Historic Tax incentives. Anthony Rubano and John Pressley wanted to share the details of the Certified Local Government Program in Illinois, it is a federal program, that their office oversees. This program gives Municipalities the ability to take charge of their own entities. The program allows historic preservation to rest at the local level. The language of the Historic Preservation Ordinance can be written to fit different municipalities. The Ordinance would establish a Historic Commission that would designate landmarks to create guidelines for obtaining permits. Guidelines could be created to provide a list of best practices, this is not necessary though, guidelines could be tailored to the City's needs, as to which buildings they would apply to. Anthony Rubano asked what was triggering this discussion. Mayor Skinner answered that this has been a long-time concern, and would give the city some guidelines as to maintaining the presence of the City's downtown business district. The downtown is a gem of our community that the city wants to protect and maintain. Alderman Horath asked if the basis of the program is based on the cosmetic or use of the building? Anthony Rubano replied that it is normally not a use direction, but the integrity of the building. Anthony Rubano stated that neither he or John Pressley would have any authority or oversight over the City's downtown district. Alderman Bury asked what kind of stipulations would a business owner have if they took advantage of grants or funds available. Anthony Rubano said

that there are tax incentives available, one for home owners and a commercial district. If an owner applied, they would have to meet standards with in the program. The owner can choose to participate or not. The local ordinance or commission would oversee the program. Jon Pressley added that the Certified Local Government Program has grants, 10 % of the fund comes in the forms of grants, approximately $120,000. To be eligible the City has to have the local Ordinance, which has to fulfill requirements set by the State. Anthony Rubano added the grant would go to the City, which would then be passed on to applicants.

Mark Vannaken representing local business owners, Angie Vannaken, Diane Flatley, Jerry Wolfe, John Ringel, Connie Madden, Roland Rich. The group expressed disappointment in the City Council for scheduling this meeting during COVID19, because of the effect it has had on their business, while some are still recovering from being closed. The group feels that since the implantation of the plan, the City has lost business, and will increase the burden onto business owners. The group expressed that the Council should be putting time and effort into attracting business to the downtown district and the owners present are not in support of this item. Anthony Rubano said this is what the City of Delavan needs to decide, and open a line of discussion. Alderman Horath asked Mark Vannaken if he would be in support of the program if not for COVID. Mark Vannaken answered that he has not had an elected official inquire about how he is doing. Mark has laid off employees and applied for grants and feels that the City is asking him to spend more money and would not be in support of this program even if COVID was not an issue. Mayor Skinner replied to Mark Vannaken that she personally tried to call him in the beginning of the year, as she did others in the room and had no answer from him.

Carol Moore stated that she fully supports a minimum maintenance code, she would like clarification on how a building becomes designated a landmark or even a part of a district.

hony Rubano said the Ordinance would designate what would be considered a district, after being decided by the commission. Mayor Skinner said the district would be determined after a commission was created and created guidelines. Building permits would only need to be approved by SDAC. Carol Moore is concerned with the number of people she would have to get approval for any updates to her property and how it would affect a business owner wants to move to more of a modern look.

Anthony Rubano answered a question via chat concerning if the Library would be affected, no because the Library would have to be designated a landmark after the Ordinance is adopted, grandfathered historical buildings are not automatically converted in local landmarks. Anthony Rubano wanted to clarify that the preservation ordinance only deals with exteriors of designated local landmarks. The local ordinance is a way to establish consistency and to maintain the character of the district.

Attorney William Connor, wanted to be sure everyone understands just because a business owners' property is in the yellow square on the map, doesn't mean that business is designated a landmark. The owner can apply or the commission can recommend the property be in the Historic District.

Carol Moore encouraged the City Council to listen to the business owners on whether their building would be part of the Historic District.

Alderman Yontz, agreeing with comments, but the City should putt the decision back into the private sector. It would be difficult to regulate the ordinance. He asked why have an entire district, if there are only a few businesses interested.

Alderman Fornoff addressed maintaining local business, for as many properties maintained, there are just as many are empty or not maintained. Historic preservation maintains the historic façade of the building, the City has a program that gives money to maintain our downtown businesses.

Alderman Hall asked if we have business owners in favor of this ordinance, Alderman Hall is not in favor. Mayor Skinner believed that there are owners in favor, she thanked all guests for attending this meeting. Any further questions can be addressed to City Administrator Matt Fick, John Pressley or Anthony Rubano. John Rubano added that all twenty buildings in the historical register can apply for grants or other programs.

No further business was presented to the council. The meeting was adjourned by Mayor Skinner at 6:36 pm.

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